I'm trying to determine what might be the best approach for the following application.

The system should connect the two existing SLC 5/03 that are interconnected using DH485 (Cat # 1747-AIC) link couplers to a system that can record the data and e-mail a report of the system status daily. The event report would need to include starts, stops, e-stops, jams, delays, fully line conditions, the number of re-loop cycles and boxes per minute for each line (A,B,C and shipping loop) on a set time basis. Each event would need to have a time and date stamp. The data collection computer would be located approximately 225 feet away. A Ethernet connection is available in the area, however it is not dedicated for this use. There is also the fiber connection nearby. The system should be expandable to include other areas of the plant as necessary.

Currently there is only about 550 data points. I was looking at using RSView32 w/1500 tag license. I was then looking at pointing the data to an MS Access database to do the daily reporting. Do I really need RSView? Would I be able to achieve the same results with OPC. Just think RSView would make the expandibilty easier


Open for suggestions on the best way possible.

Thanks

Drake Lindsay

If you use OPC and Access, you better be real good with VBA scripting or VB.

If your not a VB guru, (I am not), then try and not reinvent the wheel, that's what Rockwell made RSView for.

I think RSView has everything you need.

I know for a fact RSView has for your application:

timestamping
can handle 550 data no problems
can save data into access, csv, or excel no problems.

I have never checked on the e-mail feature. I am sure it does.

Your development time depending on your knowledge of VB will be 1/2 the time doing this in RSView. Sure it might cost more money but that's where I would weight how long it takes you to code this in VBA or VB verses drag and drop/fill in some TAG addresses and away you go.

Instead of dumping into Access, do your daily reporting in RSVIEW.

I used this FREE module from Rockwell. I could believe it was free, but it's a plugin for RSView.

RSViewLogViewer ActiveX control V2.2.13
http://www.software.rockwell.com/support/d...ail.cfm?ID=2046

My sample Logger Application in RSVIEW can be downloaded here:
http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?act=Downl...s&CODE=02&id=30


Check out the download pages for more VB to DDE etc.. examples:
http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?act=Downl...&CODE=01&cat=40

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?act=Downl...&CODE=02&id=137

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?act=Downl...s&CODE=02&id=31

Two issues:

The first (and the easiest) issue to consider is the CPUs and protocol you are using. The SLC503 does have DH485 on its ch1 port. You have two such CPUs with roughly 550 data points going to your pc. You also want to have this system exandable. Because DH485's speed is 19.2Kbs, I would give thoughtful consideration to using another protocol.

If your data aquisition never expands you are fine with the hardware and protocol that you have described--except that you need a PKTX card for your pc. But if there is a good possibility that more nodes will be added to your DH485 network, using the ethernet protocol instead may be an option to discuss with your onsite IT administrator.

If ethernet is present in the plant as you say the hardware difference would be to use the SLC505 CPUs instead of the 503s. Instead of needing a PKTX card for your pc, your existing ethernet connection will suffice--or get a new ethernet card dedicated to the automation (what does it cost, $30?). You will need RSLinx OEM, but you will need this no matter what protocol you choose. In addition, if you use RSView32, it is going to come with RSLinx Professional--which obviously works too.

I will make another post for the second issue...

Second of two issues:

This goes back to the question, "when do I use SCADA software?" I saw no mention of system control over your machines (i.e., start, stop, acknowledge alarm messages from your pc). I drew from your description that you are looking at reports. So, what are these reports? Just a summation of system alarms that happened during the shift? (which is what it sounds like)

Or is it something more formal, something that would be given to a higher authority? A higher authority such as your local environmental agencies that require proof of what it is you are reporting. If it is anything like this then RSView alone will not suffice. RSView is not a report generator--nor are most of the SCADA packages out there. You would need to send data to a report generator and customize it. If Access is something you are comforatble with send it there and as chakorules correctly points out, customize it with VBA.

Drake, if you have no system control and the reports have to be customized anyway then your question of whether or not to use RSView is an appropriate one. Through NetDDE you can send data from RSLinx to Excel (which is what I do because I use so many SCADA packages from job to job) or Access for that matter.

When I do reports, I am reporting analog values. Recording peaks for the day and when, how long...that sort of thing. However, it sounds like you are doing material handling of some nature so your report may not be this stringent. If this is the case use RSView. Probably you can simply have a data dump of the parameters you set up (timestamps included) and export them to a daily csv file or something.

1. Communication Software: In order to pull data from a PLC into an HMI application, such as RS View, I do believe that you will need to buy a license of RS Linx OEM or RS Linx Gateway.

2. Application Software: I cannot say for sure if RS View has an email service, but I can say for sure that WonderWare does not and Intellution iFix does. I have done exactly what you are trying to do with Intellution iFix, and put many hours into getting an existing WonderWare system to do this (with no success...WonderWare does not have an email service). It took awhile to get the iFix application to work, but my Intellution support vendor did guide me through the logic and make all of the handshaking work.

3. A Word about Email Servicing: There are 2 types of auto-email setups you can go after...time-driven and event-driven.

4. Intellution was sold to GE a short time ago. I have not done an Intellution system in some time, and do not know what GE's future for the software developer is. I would suggest that you contact your HMI vendors (Allen-Bradley RS View, GE Intellution, WonderWare and CiTect) and ask them all for white papers on an auto-email service that is either time or event-driven (per your application). The vendors who stumble on your question are the people who will have trouble making it happen...those who answer your question are the ones to go with.

Lastly, I have been in your boat. Do not fall for a vendor telling you that an auto-email application will work with their product unless they can prove it upfront. Been there...lived with that. I have a copy of my Intellution VB code for emailing (very sweet and straight-forward). You can email me for a copy...kaiser_will_1967@hotmail.com. Best of luck!